School's Out

Last week Vivian finished her first year at school.

Here's a picture of Jo and Vivian leaving for Vivian's first day at school. Brandon was hanging out with us because his little sister was born the day before. Vivian was two and a half years old.

And here she is with her BFF Mackenzie on her last day of school. They are planning a tea party sometime soon. And then they'll be in swim classes together later this summer. I've known Sharath and Potty since I was about your age, Vivian. Can you imagine still being friends with Mackenzie or Presley or Natalie or Lucas or any of the other Dazzling Dragonflies when you are 46...?

Ms. Mary and Ms. Cas were wonderful teachers. I have a suspicion that you will remember them for many years. Happy summer vacation.

[Added Jun 5] I downloaded some pictures from my camera and found that I had a picture of Vivian heading off for school on her last day. Here she is in her summer dress.

Six Weeks

Evan turns six weeks old tomorrow. It feels forever - like he should be a teenager by now! Not in a bad way (though we are beginning to look like sleep deprived zombies) but that I only have vague memories of life before Evan.

Evan - this is for you. Today you pooped out of your diaper. While Mommy was taking care of the poopage leakage, I cleaned you up and then decided to give you some "air time" (no diapers). While you and I were chilling on the couch, you threw up on me. And when I was engrossed cleaning up your throw-up, you peed on me and the couch. Yep.

Here's Even laying on my knee one early morning. Sometimes I give him a bottle so that Jo can get an extra hour or two of sleep. Like Vivian, it's obvious that Evan's very alert. He is getting to be more interactive: he's ticklish like crazy. I can touch his ribs with my finger tips and his hands and feet shoot out in all directions.

In the picture below, Jo is carrying Evan in a baby slingie thingie (I should trademark that name). Vivian and Carol and I were out and about swinging a machete at thistles (turns out that very few things perturb Carol like thistles in the yard). Evan was being fussy. So Jo stuck him in the sling and in less than 5 minutes he was limp as a jelly fish.

And here are a few pictures of Vivian: playing with raspberries, and with a shinny star sticker on her forehead like a bindi.

Reflecting after six long weeks, the family feels complete. It's got heft. We sometimes refer to them as "the kids" though it still freaks me out. And I get comments like "your ever expanding family" and "your brood". Before Vivian, I felt like a spectator. Then after she was born, I felt like I was dipping my toe in the water. Now we are bona fide breeders with a garage full of strollers.

Dancing Queen

This may be the fourth post with this title. I have lost count. Have I mentioned that Vivian loves dancing? Today she had her first ballet recital.

More text later.

Beer Truck

We didn't have any eggs for waffles this morning so Vivian and I went to Randalls. On the way there, the Dora CD plays "what will you be when you grow up...".

Vivian: "When I grow up I want to be a Princess".

Me: "But honey, what if I'm not a king?".

She: "Daddy - just pretend to be a king. I'm already your princess".

We park. A Bud Light truck pulls into the parking lot.

Vivian: "Daddy - why is that big truck here?"

Me: "It's bringing beer".

She: "Oh".

We walk into the grocery store. A nice old couple catch Vivian's eye. She waves to them. They say "Hello beautiful - how are you?".

She says: "I'm good. That truck just got beer for my mommy and daddy".

They stop smiling at Vivian. And glare at me instead. They follow us around to see how much beer I am going to buy. We get the eggs and Vivian waves to them on the way out.

In the car, I say: "Sweetheart, mommy and daddy don't drink much beer".

She replies: "No Daddy - you drink wine too".

Silly girl. Here's a picture of Vivian sucking down a lemonade at the Flying Saucer yesterday. She walked in, sat down, and told the waitress "I need a drink". I gave her the look. She corrected herself: "I need a drink please".